Precision Spectroscopy of Negative-Ion Resonances in Ultralong-Range Rydberg Molecules

F. Engel, T. Dieterle, F. Hummel, C. Fey, P. Schmelcher, R. Löw, T. Pfau, and F. Meinert
Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 073003 – Published 16 August 2019
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Abstract

The level structure of negative ions near the electron detachment limit dictates the low-energy scattering of an electron with the parent neutral atom. We demonstrate that a single ultracold atom bound inside a Rydberg orbit forming an ultralong-range Rydberg molecule provides an atomic-scale system that is highly sensitive to electron-neutral scattering and thus allows for detailed insights into the underlying near-threshold anion states. Our measurements reveal the so-far unobserved fine structure of the PJ3 triplet of Rb and allows us to extract parameters of the associated p-wave scattering resonances that deviate from previous theoretical estimates. Moreover, we observe a novel alignment mechanism for Rydberg molecules mediated by spin-orbit coupling in the negative ion.

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  • Received 17 April 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.123.073003

© 2019 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

F. Engel1, T. Dieterle1, F. Hummel2, C. Fey2, P. Schmelcher2,3, R. Löw1, T. Pfau1, and F. Meinert1

  • 15. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
  • 2Zentrum für optische Quantentechnologien, Fachbereich Physik, Universität Hamburg, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
  • 3The Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, 22761 Hamburg, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 123, Iss. 7 — 16 August 2019

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